262 



KEY AND DESCRIPTION 



less covered by rusty patches, espe- 

 cially on the back. (White Crane.) 



Length, 50 ; wing, 24 (22-26) ; tail, 9 ; 

 tarsus, 11|; culnien, 5^ (i>-6). Interior of 

 North America; breedingfrom Illinois north 

 to the Arctic regions, and wintering in the 

 (iulf States. 



2. Little Brown Crane (205. Grus 

 caitadensis). — Almost exactly like 

 the next, but smaller, the general 

 color being slaty or brownish gray. 



Lengtli, 35; wing, IBJ (17-20) ; tail, 7; 

 tarsus, 7J; culinen, 3| (3-4J). Western 

 North America; breeding in the northern 

 l)ortions and migrating southward, mainly 

 west of the Mississippi into the western 

 I'nited States and Mexico. 



ping Crane 



3. Sandhill Crane (200. Grns mexi- 

 c.d,na). — A veiy large, slaty to brownish-gray crane, with the 

 whole top of the head bare of 

 feathers, but covered with black 

 hairs on a dull reddish skin. The 

 plumage is more or less washed 

 with rusty. The yoimg has the 

 head entirely feathered, and the 

 j)lumage brown, extensively washed 

 with rusty. During the early spring 

 these birds jump about in the most 

 ludicrous manner, as though danc- 

 ing an Indian war dance, and they 

 stop only when exhausted. (Brown 

 Crane.) 



Length, 44; wing, 21J (21-22^); tail, 

 9 ; tarsus, 10| ; culmen, oj (5-(J). South- 

 ern half of North America, rare on the 

 Atlantic coast except in Georgia and 

 Florida ; breeding locally throughout, 

 even north to Manitoba. 



